Deadline To Sign Franchise Players To Long-Term Deals Is Monday At 4PM

The deadline for franchise players to sign long-term deals approaches. Naturally players like Saints quarterback Drew Brees, running backs Ray Rice and Matt Forte and Lions defensive end Cliff Avril are receiving all of the attention, five of the 21 players franchised this year were place kickers.

Bengals place-kicker Mike Nugent ($2.645 million) and Cleveland's Phil Dawson ($3.81 million because he was franchised last year) have already signed their franchise tenders whereas Jacksonville's Josh Scobee hasn't signed his, hinting at a hold out during training camp.

Mike Nugent. who converted 14 of 16 field goals long than 40 yards, set a franchise record for most points scored (132) during a single-season, breaking Shayne Graham's record (131) that he set during the 2005 season.

Connor Barth signed a four-year deal worth $13.2 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Matt Prater signed a near-identical deal (worth $13 million) with the Denver Broncos.

The deadline to sign players to long-term deals is 4 PM on Monday.